AFL round 23

Final round of the AFL before finals and we still do not know who will be playing finals. Essendon have theirs and the remaining teams fate in their hands. If the Bombers beat the Dockers then its season over for the Saints Eagles and Bulldogs unless the Eagles can hand the crows a 100 point walloping and the Bombers just sneak over the line.
The biggest intrigue will come from the Kangaroos and Lions game, with the number 1 draft pick on the line, that horrible word tanking comes in to play. Can the swans beat the Blues by enough and have the Power beat the Suns by enough to leap frog the Power into the top four if the Tigers drop a game.
It will be a round full of ups and downs and the season will not be decided for some until that final siren on Sunday at the MCG.

Hawks v Bulldogs
No realistic chance of the Doggies making the finals but a win by a massive margin gives them a glimmer of hope. It will be a huge game for both sides with two legends of our game retiring after in Luke Hodge and Bob Murphy. Both sides have disappointing seasons by their standards and had been hit by injury at times, but neither could ever build enough momentum through out the season to make a strong push for the finals. Should be a tough hard fought game and look for a special something for the retiring stars.
Predict Bulldogs win 14 points
Collingwood v Melbourne

Not super critical for the Demons to win this but a loss can still put them out of the finals if other results don’t go well for them. The Pies have very little to play for here a little bit of pride and a statement from them about their future but that is about it. The Demons can return to the finals with a win and would expect them to take this game with both hands and beat the Pies. It won’t come easy as bad as Collingwood have been at times statistically they are one of the top few side they are just horribly inefficient.
Predict Demons win 7 points

Brisbane v North Melbourne

Battle for pick 1….. You would think teams are almost past the tanking idea and I guess we will se come Saturday. Expect a couple late changes to sides pretty bruise free footy. They will go through the motions and put on a bit of a show but with a grand prize on offer in the draft I don’t think a win will be on either teams mind. The Kangaroos have already showed their hand with 5 changes to the side. It would take an almighty effort for them to win this.
Predict Lions win 37 points

Sydney v Carlton
Very stirring win by the Blues over the Hawks last week and the Swans managed to pinch the game from the Crows. The Swans have a chance to nab a top four spot while the Blues will be happy to hang their hats on some very good performances this year and last weeks win was a nice cherry on the top of a promising season. The Swans will use this game against a determined Blues outfit as a quick tune up before finals and look to continue their deep run into finals.

Predict Sydney win 35 points

Port Adelaide v GoldCoast

The season can not end fast enough for the Suns as can the drama revolving around Ablett. The Power should absolutely run all over the hapless Suns at home a place which Port has put up some almighty numbers this year. The China game stands out it was almost the turning point in the Suns year nothing has gone right for them since that moment. Port win this and win big, but it may be their last win this season.
Predict Power win 70 points
Geelong v GWS

Such a big game for both of these sides, the Crows have already sealed a top 2 spot and home finals and now these two have the chance to do the same. They played out a draw only a few weeks ago in a very intense match in Sydney. The Cats have the edge with this game at home but are still missing Joel Selwood in the middle. The Giants seemingly have winners across each line but have been a little flat for a few weeks. This is a must win game for both but think the Giants will be going a little better.
Predict GWS win 21 points

Essendon v Fremantle

Bombers win they will play finals unless a miracle happens in other games. It will be a nice reward the Bombers who have had quite a few seasons of ongoing drama. The Dockers last week looked like a side who was already starting their off season holiday last week and this one could be much the same. Bombers will be in fine tune mode while the Dockers are already gone.
Predict Bombers win 68 points
Richmond v Saint Kilda

Tigers win they secure a top 4 finish and a real crack at the finals, Saints win and other results go there way…… nah it’s not going to happen to much to chance and this is the Saints the kings of capitulation this season. It’s fitting that Nick Riewoldt will play his last game at the MCG a true legend of our game who came so close to a premiership yet so far away. The Tigers are rolling and may be a little tired after last weeks thumping over the Dockers but with a top 4 spot on the line they will not let it slip.
Predict Tigers win 11 points

West Coast v Adelaide

Crows have top 2 spot sewn up and will not risk anything here, again I would expect to see the Crows not field their best side. It is. It worth the risk for them with a big finals campaign ahead. The Eagles still with a slim chance to play finals will throw everything at this game they will know by game time what they need to do to make it or if they can’t. Either way the Eagles will won’t to go out with a win at home and with the crows looking to avoid any injury and risk players it should be enough to get Eagles over the line.
Predict Eagles win 29 points